Crockpot Ham, Green Beans & Potatoes
Crockpot Ham, Green Beans & Potatoes is a simple, hearty slow cooker meal built around tender vegetables, savory cooked ham and a light buttery broth. It is the kind of no-fuss family dinner that works especially well when you want something comforting without spending much time at the stove.
The ingredient list is straightforward: fresh green beans, baby potatoes, cooked ham, onion and garlic, all seasoned with chicken broth, butter, salt, black pepper and optional smoked paprika. Because the ham already brings plenty of savory flavor, the salt is intentionally modest and can be adjusted at the end.
The method could not be easier. Everything goes into the crockpot, then cooks on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours until the potatoes are tender and the flavors have blended. A gentle stir before serving is all that is needed to finish the dish.
This is a practical one-pot-style dinner with a classic combination of ham, green beans and potatoes. It is especially useful for busy days because the slow cooker handles almost all of the cooking once the ingredients are layered inside.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple slow cooker prep: The ingredients are layered directly into the crockpot with very little hands-on work.
- Hearty and satisfying: Ham and potatoes make the dish filling, while green beans keep it balanced.
- Two cooking options: Use LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Classic comfort food: Ham, green beans and potatoes are a familiar family-style combination.
- Flexible potato choice: Baby potatoes can be halved, or regular potatoes can be cut into chunks.
- Optional smoky flavor: Smoked paprika can be added if you want another layer of flavor.
- Easy seasoning control: Because ham can vary in saltiness, the recipe specifically encourages adjusting salt to taste.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 1/2 lbs baby potatoes, halved (or regular potatoes, chunked)
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced or cubed
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust if ham is salty)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, optional
Ingredient Notes
Fresh Green Beans
Use 2 pounds of fresh green beans and trim the ends before adding them to the slow cooker. They cook alongside the potatoes and ham and absorb plenty of savory flavor from the broth.
Potatoes
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 pounds of baby potatoes, halved. Regular potatoes can also be used if they are cut into chunks.
Cooked Ham
Two cups of diced or cubed cooked ham provide the main protein and a significant amount of the dish’s savory flavor. Since ham can be salty, taste before adding any extra salt at the end.
Onion and Garlic
Chopped onion and minced garlic add aromatic depth to the broth while the dish cooks slowly.
Chicken Broth
Two cups of chicken broth provide the cooking liquid and help bring the ham, potatoes and green beans together.
Butter
Two tablespoons of butter add richness to the broth and vegetables.
Smoked Paprika
The smoked paprika is optional. If used, it adds a gentle smoky note that complements the ham.
Equipment
- Slow cooker or crockpot
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large spoon for stirring and serving
How to Make Crockpot Ham, Green Beans & Potatoes
1. Layer the Crockpot
Add the green beans, potatoes, cooked ham, chopped onion and minced garlic to the slow cooker.
2. Season and Add the Liquid
Pour in the chicken broth. Add the butter, salt, black pepper and optional smoked paprika.
3. Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are tender and the flavors are blended.
4. Stir and Serve
Stir gently, taste for seasoning and serve hot.
Tips for the Best Results
- Trim the green beans first: Preparing them before they go into the crockpot makes the finished dish easier to serve and eat.
- Cut potatoes evenly: Halve baby potatoes or cut regular potatoes into similarly sized chunks so they cook at a similar rate.
- Watch the salt: Ham and broth can both contribute saltiness, so start with the supplied amount and adjust after cooking.
- Use the full cooking range as a guide: Check the potatoes for tenderness toward the end of the recommended LOW or HIGH window.
- Keep the smoked paprika optional: Add it for a smokier flavor or leave it out for a simpler ham-and-vegetable profile.
- Stir gently at the end: Once the potatoes are tender, gentle stirring helps keep them from breaking apart.
- Taste before serving: The recipe specifically calls for a final seasoning check after cooking.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-salting at the beginning: Ham can already be quite salty, so do not assume the dish needs extra salt before tasting.
- Cutting potatoes into very different sizes: Uneven pieces can cook at different rates.
- Using untrimmed green beans: Trim them before adding them to the crockpot.
- Stopping before the potatoes are tender: Potato tenderness is the main doneness cue in the supplied method.
- Stirring too aggressively after cooking: Tender potatoes can break apart if handled roughly.
- Forgetting the final seasoning check: Taste before serving and adjust only if needed.
Substitutions and Variations
The recipe provides one direct potato variation: use halved baby potatoes or regular potatoes cut into chunks. It also makes smoked paprika optional.
No other substitutions were supplied. Different broths, meats or vegetables could create a variation, but they would not be part of the original Crockpot Ham, Green Beans & Potatoes recipe.
Serving Suggestions
This crockpot meal already combines ham, vegetables and potatoes in one dish, so it works well as a complete family dinner on its own.
If you want to round out the meal, crusty bread, cornbread or a simple salad would be natural general serving ideas, but they are not part of the supplied recipe.
Storage and Reheating
Specific storage and reheating instructions were not supplied with the original recipe, so this article does not assign a storage duration or reheating method that was not provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
What goes in Crockpot Ham, Green Beans & Potatoes?
This recipe contains fresh green beans, potatoes, cooked ham, onion, garlic, chicken broth, butter, salt, black pepper and optional smoked paprika.
Can I use regular potatoes instead of baby potatoes?
Yes. The recipe specifically allows regular potatoes cut into chunks.
How much ham do I need?
Use 2 cups of cooked ham, diced or cubed.
How long does this cook on LOW?
Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours.
How long does this cook on HIGH?
Cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours.
How do I know when it is done?
The potatoes should be tender and the flavors should be well blended.
Is smoked paprika required?
No. The 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika is optional.
Should I add all the salt at once?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon but specifically notes that it should be adjusted if the ham is salty. Taste again before serving.
Do I need to brown the ham first?
No browning step is included. The cooked ham goes directly into the slow cooker with the vegetables.
Do I need to sauté the onion or garlic?
No. The supplied method adds both directly to the crockpot.
How much broth is used?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of chicken broth.
Should I stir the crockpot while it cooks?
No stirring during the cooking time is specified. The recipe calls for a gentle stir at the end before tasting and serving.
Recipe Card: Crockpot Ham, Green Beans & Potatoes
Recipe Name: Crockpot Ham, Green Beans & Potatoes
Description: A hearty slow cooker meal with cooked ham, fresh green beans, tender potatoes, onion and garlic in a buttery chicken broth.
Cook Time: LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours
Method: Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 1/2 lbs baby potatoes, halved (or regular potatoes, chunked)
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced or cubed
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust if ham is salty)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, optional
Instructions
- Add green beans, potatoes, ham, onion and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Pour in chicken broth. Add butter, salt, black pepper and smoked paprika.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are tender and the flavors are blended.
- Stir gently and taste for seasoning.
Recipe Notes
- Halve baby potatoes or cut regular potatoes into chunks.
- Use cooked ham, diced or cubed.
- Adjust the salt carefully if your ham is already salty.
- Smoked paprika is optional.
- Cook until the potatoes are tender.
- Stir gently before serving.
Storage and Reheating
Specific storage and reheating instructions were not included with the original recipe.